Next time you finish off a jar of pickles, think twice before you throw away leftover pickle juice. Pickle brine, especially if it’s homemade, has some health benefits and can be reused in so many different ways. Here are a few reasons why you should start drinking pickle juice.
Improves Gut Health
Much like all other fermented foods, pickles and pickle brine are a good source of probiotics that are very important for metabolism and digestion. Of course, that doesn’t mean we should go overboard with pickle brine, but adding small amounts to your meals could be beneficial for gut health.
Muscle Recovery
Pickle juice is a good source of electrolytes, which is why many athletes like to drink it after heavy exercise. Consuming electrolyte drinks after workouts is a great way to hydrate your body and relieve muscle cramps.
Regulate Blood Sugar
Studies have shown that small amounts of vinegar can be beneficial for regulating blood sugar levels. This means that consuming small amounts of vinegar-based pickle brine could help avoid blood sugar spikes.
It’s Affordable
Last but not least, if you love eating pickled foods, then it’s really a shame to always throw away pickle brine. There are plenty of ways to reuse it as a drink, a marinade, or simply use it instead of vinegar.